The newly formed IPL franchise owned by CVC Capitals is looking to acquire Ravi Shastri for the head coach’s position.
After the immense success of IPL over the last decade and a half, BCCI decided to add two new teams to make it a 10-team tournament. RP Sanjiv Goenka and CVC Capitals splashed the cash to earn the rights for the new franchises. Capitals acquired Ahmedabad for a price of Rs. 5265 CR, and the owners are now reportedly looking to woo Ravi Shastri.
According to Cricbuzz’s report, Capitals have contacted the current team India coach to take the head coach’s role at the Ahmedabad franchise. Shastri’s stint with the national team ends after the ongoing T20I World Cup. While he could be open to coaching an IPL team, there’s a good chance the former cricketer returns to the commentator box. Moreover, Shastri could also opt to take a break for some time.
As per the report, Shastri has asked CVC Capitals to give him some time to decide as he wants to focus on India right now. He was likely to go back to commentating after his tenure with India, but CVC Capitals’ approach might tempt him to take up the coaching role instead.
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Whether or not the 59-year-old takes up the role at the Ahmedabad-based franchise, the upcoming couple of months will be exciting in terms of the IPL. After the eight teams announce their retentions, the two new franchises can draft up to three players from the remaining set of talent. The team-building process will conclude in the form of a mega auction.
If Shastri accepts the coaching offer, Bharat Arun and R Shridhar are expected to be a part of his coaching staff. After Shastri’s tenure ends, Rahul Dravid is set to become the head coach of India, and his first series will be against New Zealand. Dravid had some kind words for Shastri and hopes to continue the excellent work started by the latter.
The national team has done quite well under Shastri, especially in the longer format of the game. His four-year-long stint could come to a close later today as New Zealand takes on Afghanistan. If Kane Williamson’s side beat Afghanistan, India’s match against Namibia tomorrow will be nothing but a formality.
